Ballots Mailed to Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA Joint Membership

Los Angeles (December 10, 2010) --- Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists announced that ratification ballots will mail today to approximately 137,000 AFTRA and SAG eligible voters. The joint referendum requires a vote on the proposed successor agreements to the Screen Actors Guild Basic Agreement and Television Agreement, AFTRA Exhibit A to the Network Television Code and the CW Supplement, which applies to both unions.

The Joint National Board of AFTRA and SAG, at its meeting Saturday, December 4, 2010, voted overwhelmingly to approve the tentative agreement reached with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, a deal which it now recommends to the respective union memberships.

Ballots must be returned via U.S. mail and must be received at the assigned post office box in Everett, Wash., no later than 5 p.m. (PST) January 14, 2011. Due to the holidays, the time period for reviewing and returning ballots will be extended to five weeks (rather than the traditional three-week time period) in order to afford every member the opportunity to carefully review the terms of the proposed agreements before voting. Tabulation will occur immediately upon the conclusion of balloting.

Additionally, informational meetings will be held in select locations across the country in the coming weeks. Members must present a paid-up SAG or AFTRA membership card for admission.

Click here to view the ballot referendum package and a list of informational meeting locations.

About SAGScreen Actors Guild is the nation’s largest labor union representing working actors. Established in 1933, SAG has a rich history in the American labor movement, from standing up to studios to break long-term engagement contracts in the 1940s to fighting for artists’ rights amid the digital revolution sweeping the entertainment industry in the 21st century. With 20 branches nationwide, SAG represents more than 125,000 actors who work in film and digital television programs, motion pictures, commercials, video games, music videos, industrials and all new media formats. The Guild exists to enhance actors’ working conditions, compensation and benefits and to be a powerful, unified voice on behalf of artists’ rights. SAG is a proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO. Headquartered in Los Angeles, you can visit SAG online at SAG.org.

About AFTRAThe American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO, are the people who entertain and inform America. In 32 Locals across the country, AFTRA members work as actors, broadcasters, singers, dancers, announcers, hosts, comedians, disc jockeys and other performers across the media industries including television, radio, cable, sound recordings, music videos, commercials, audio books, non-broadcast industrials, interactive games, the Internet and other digital media. The 70,000 professional performers, broadcasters and recording artists of AFTRA are working together to protect and improve their jobs, lives and communities in the 21st century. From new art forms to new technology, AFTRA members embrace change in their work and craft to enhance American culture and society. Visit AFTRA online at www.aftra.com.